Dorothy Sally

Dorothy was born in Wels, Austria to Willi and Susan Tsironis on April 5th, 1948. Her family immigrated to the states when she was 8 years old in 1956 and they laid down roots in Wadsworth, Ohio and she graduated from St. Mary Catholic School. After high school, she relocated to Ames where she attended Iowa State University earning a Bachelors degree in Business Management and later returned to earn her Masters Degree in Industrial Relations. She married Thomas Sally on May 13th, 1978. She worked at a number of places during her career in human resources including the Iowa DOT, City of Ames, Mary Greeley Medical Center, Iowa State University and Burke Corp. before retiring. She was a long time member of Saint Cecilia Catholic Church where she was an avid volunteer giving her time freely wherever it was needed, on numerous committees as well as volunteering around the community and for the Ames Visitors Bureau and Mary Greeley in the hospitality shop.

Hospitality and love radiated from Dorothy, and the joy of the Lord was her strength. She loved to share life with others by caring for them. She kept rich family traditions alive, and the house filled to the brim with loved ones who were kept filled to the brim with her incredible meals. She had a zeal for life and a boldness that never held her back from experiencing new adventures with friends and family. She was ambitious and lively, and always loved to travel and explore new places. And yet, she was just as content to embrace life’s simple pleasures like quiet time with her beloved husband Tom, a long bike ride, birdwatching, a picnic at the park, painting, or praying. Most of all though, she cherished her grandkids. She was always sure to celebrate their every milestone, and her calendar stayed loaded up with activities to participate in with her grandkids. Whether it was cheering them on from the sideline at the game, with flowers at a performance, chaperoning a class trip, teaching them with the church youth ministry or snuggling them in her arms, the love of the grandchildren’s “Oma” will be so very missed.

Dorothy is survived by her husband, Thomas Sally, her daughter Amanda (Jason) Kramer of Slater, her daughter Alyssa (Jason) Spicer of Ames, her stepdaughter Melissa (Don) Bahr of Shalimar, FL, her stepdaughter Mindy (John) Knowles of Papillion, NE and her stepson Tommy (Brandy) Sally of Ankeny, sister Ann (Kilian) Mendel of Wadsworth, OH and brother John (Jacky) Tsironis of Phoenix, AZ. Her grandchildren Ashley, Trevor, Madison, Emma, Malorie, A.J., Allison, Addison, Elijah, Ashlyn, Joseph and Jacob as well as great-grandchildren Brinley, Brysen, Hadlie and Carter as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents.

Memorials may be given to Saint Cecilia Catholic Church Childrens Programs, as she loved teaching and leading others in their faith. Also, to EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network) a Catholic Network that gave her great comfort for many years.

The family of Dorothy wish to extend our sincere thanks to the loving and caring staff of Mary Greeley Hospice.